Mannequin structure

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional mannequin structure having a unique costume arrangement disposed thereon for use in photography applications. The mannequin structure is similar to a conventional full-body adult-size mannequin as is commonly employed for displaying wearing apparel with the principal exceptions that it has no head, neck, or arms, and the major portion of the back thereof, extending from the top of the shoulders to the calf regions of the legs, is lacking. In addition, arm and neck cutouts are provided in the regions of the mannequin structure where the arms and neck, respectively, would normally be attached. To use the above-described mannequin structure in photography applications, a unique costume arrangement, for example, a reproduction of a 1775 Revolutionary War British soldier&#39;&#39;s uniform, is constructed on the mannequin structure. The costume arrangement has an open, or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;backless,&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; portion between the shoulder and waist regions of the mannequin structure. A subject to be photographed stands behind the mannequin structure and partly &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;dresses&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; himself in the costume arrangement. In the case of the British soldier costume arrangement, the subject partly dresses himself therein by inserting his arms through the sleeves of the costume arrangement. The arm cutouts serve to facilitate this latter operation. The subject then leans forward slightly such that the upper part of his body, from essentially the shoulders to the waist, fits within the torso cavity of the mannequin structure and such that his neck is within the neck cutout and his chin is above and forward of the neck cutout. After assuming suitable positions for the arms and head, and after a few minor adjustments and additions to the costume arrangement, the subject is photographed by the photographer. In the final photographic print, the subject appears to be actually dressed in a full costume.

United States Patent [1 1 Bianchino [54] MANNEQUIN STRUCTURE [76]inventor: Daniel C. Bianchino, 117 Prescott Road, Concord, Mass. 01742[22] Filed: April 7, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 131,900

Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Attorney-Peter Xiarhos [57] ABSTRACT I Athree-dimensional mannequin structure having a unique costumearrangement disposed thereon for use in photography applications. Themannequin structure is similar to a conventional full-body adult-sizemannequin as is commonly employed for displaying wearing apparel withthe principal exceptions that it has no head, neck, or arms, and themajor portion of the back thereof, extending from the top of theshoulders to the calf regions of the legs, is lacking. In addition,

arm and neck cutouts are provided in the regions of the mannequinstructure where the arms and neck, respectively, would normally beattached.

To use the above-described mannequin structure in photographyapplications, a unique costume arrangement, for example, a reproductionof a 1775 Revolutionary War British soldier's uniform, is constructed onthe mannequin structure. The costume arrangement has an open, orbackless, portion between the shoulder and waist regions of themannequin structure. A subject to be photographed stands behind themannequin structure and partly dresses" himself in the costumearrangement. In the case of the British soldier costume arrangement, thesubject partly dresses himself therein by inserting his arms through thesleeves of the costume arrangement. The arm cutouts serve to facilitatethis latter operation. The subject then leans forward slightly such thatthe upper part of his body, from essentially the shoulders to the waist,fits within the torso cavity of the mannequin structure and such thathis neck is within the neck cutout and his chin is above and forward ofthe neck cu tout. After assuming suitable positions for the arms andhead, and after a few minor adjustments and additions to the costumearrangement, the subject is photographed by the photographer. In thefinal photodressed in a full costume.

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JAN 3 0 I975 SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTORDANIEL C. BIANCHINO PAIENTED JAN 30 I975 SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR DAN/ELC. BIANCH/NO MANNEQUIN STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to a three-dimensional structure for use by aphotographer and, more particularly, to a three-dimensional mannequinstructure having a costume arrangement disposed thereon for use inphotography applications.

There are numerous occasions, for example, at historical sites,amusement parks, circuses, and sporting events, where it would be verydesirable to be able to photograph a subject such that, in the finalphotographic print, the subject appears to be actually wearing theuniform or costume of a particular individual or figure, for example,the uniform ofa I775 Revolutionary War British soldier, the uniform of aprofessional hockey player, or the costume of a circus clown. While itwould certainly be possible to actually dress the subject in a completeuniform or costume of the desired type, such a procedure would beinconvenient and un duly time consuming, thereby representing anuneconomical proposition for the photographer. Such well knownarrangements as cardboard mockups having two-dimensional figures paintedthereon and openings through which subjects place their heads to bephotographed are generally undesirable because of the lack ofauthenticity in appearance of the twodimensional painted figures in thefinal photographic prints produced from these arrangements.

The present invention serves to overcome the general problems andshortcomings associated with the abovedescribed techniques andarrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with the presentinvention, a three-dimensional structure is provided for use by aphotographer inphotographing a subject. In accordance with a preferredform of the invention, the three-dimensional structure is athree-dimensional mannequin structure which is similar in many respectsto a conventional full-body mannequin as is commonly used for displayingwearing apparel. More specifically, the three-dimensional mannequinstructure, like a conventional full-body mannequin, has a front torsoportion and legs attached to the front torso portion. The mannequinstructure, unlike a conventional full-body mannequin, lacks a head,neck, and arms, and further lacks a back portion from the region of theshoulders to a region below the waist, for example, to the region of thecalves of the legs.

To employ the above-described mannequin structure in photographyapplications, a costume arrangement, including a wearable portionadapted to be worn by a subject while being photographed, is disposed onthe mannequin structure. To be photographed, the subject places aportion of his body, for example, the portion of his body from theshoulders to the waist, within a cavity defined by front and sidesections of the torso portion. At the same time, he wears the wearableportion of the costume arrangement. The subject, while positioned withinthe mannequin structure and the wearable portion of the costumearrangement as described above, is then photographed by thephotographer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGS. 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c) areperspective, front, and back views, respectively, of a basic mannequinstructure in accordance with a preferred form of the present inventionprior to a costume arrangement being disposed thereon for use by aphotographer;

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are front and back views, respectively, of the basicmannequin structure shown in FIGS. l(a)-l(c) after a costumearrangement, specifically, a costume arrangement representing areproduction of a 1775 Revolutionary War British soldiers uniform, hasbeen disposed thereon; and

FIG. 3 illustrates the general manner in which the mannequin structureand costume arrangement shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) may be used by aphotographer in photographing a subject.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BASIC MANNEQUIN STRUCTURE FIGS. l(a)-l(c)Referring now to FIGS. 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c), there is shown inperspective, front, and rear views, respectively, a basicthree-dimensional mannequin structure 1 in accordance with a preferredform of the present invention, that is, prior to a costume arrangementbeing disposed on the three-dimensional mannequin structure 1 for use bya photographer. As is readily apparent from FIGS. 1(a)l(c),'themannequin structure 1, but for certain obvious and notable omissions, issimilar to a conventional full-body adult-size mannequin as is commonlyemployed, for example, in department stores and clothing salons fordisplaying wearing apparel. More specifically, the basic mannequinstructure 1 in accordance with the present invention includes the usualmannequin body parts of a front torso or trunk portion 2 (includingchest, midsection, and hips), and legs 3 attached to the torso portion2. The mannequin structure I differs most significantly from aconventional full-body mannequin in that it has no head, neck, or arms,and essentially the entire back, extending from the top of theshoulders, designated at 5 in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(0), to the calves of thelegs 3, designated at 3a in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(c), is lacking. In additionto the abovementioned distinctions, a neck cutout 6 is preferablyprovided at the center of the top, front edge of the front torso portion2, where a neck would ordinarily be attached, and arm cutouts 8 and 10are preferably provided at the sides of the torso portion 2, where armswould ordinarily be attached. The purpose of the cutouts 6, 8, and 10will be explained fully hereinafter in connection with FIG. 3.

In order to use the mannequin structure 1 for photography purposes, itis supported in an erect position. As indicated in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(0),this may be readily accomplished by means of a slightly curved rod 13attached to the calf of one of the legs 3 (e.g., the calf of the rightleg, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(c) and also to a supportstand 12. This particular means for supporting the mannequin structure 1is an erect position is conventional and well known to those skilled inthe mannequin art.

MANNEQUIN STRUCTURE AND COSTUME ARRANGEMENT FlGS.2(a) and 2(b) Beforeemploying the above-described basic mannequin structure I inphotographic applications for photographing subjects, a costumearrangement is first constructed on the mannequin structure 1. Anynumber of different costume arrangements may be used with the basicmannequin structure 1. However, for purposes of explaining the presentinvention, a particularly unique costume arrangement, representing areproduction of a 1775 Revolutionary War British soldiers uniform, isshown at 15 in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), theBritish soldier costume arrangement 15 includes a coat 17, a vest l8,ajabot (or ruffle) 19, breeches (or pants) 20, stockings 21, and shoes23. As may be noted from FIG. 2(b), the coat 17 and the underlying vest18 are essentially backless." As will become more fully apparenthereinafter, the purpose of the backless coat 17 and the backless vest18 is to permit a subject who is to be photographed to readily place theupper part of his body, from essentially the shoulders to the waist,within the torso cavity of the mannequin structure 1. The backless coat17 also permits subjects of different sizes to be accommodated in thetorso cavity of the mannequin structure 1, as will also become morefully apparent. The torso cavity of the mannequin structure 1 isdesignated at 24 in FIG. 2(b) and also in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(c). Tofurther insure that the costume arrangement 15 does not interfere with asubject placing the upper part of his body within the torso cavity 24 ofthe mannequin structure 1, the back part of the breeches 20 isconveniently attached to a portion of the mannequin structure 25 belowthe waist, for example, to the crotch of the mannequin structure 1,designated at 25 in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(a).

The component parts of the costume arrangement 15 may be disposed on themannequin structure 1 in any suitable or desired manner. For example,the backless vest 18 may be attached, at its back edges, to the edges ofthe torso cavity 24, designated at 27 in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(0). Thebackless coat 17 may then be attached to the vest 18, for example, bypinning the inner lining of the coat 17 to the vest 18. With thisarrangement, the top of the coat 17 is draped loosely over the shoulderregions of the mannequin structure 1. The jabot l9, breeches 20,stocking 21, and shoes 23 are placed on the mannequin structure 1 in aconventional manner.

PHOTOGRAPHING A SUBJECT FIG. 3

The manner in which the mannequin structure 1 and the costumearrangement shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) may be used by a photographerin photographing a subject is indicated generally in FIG. 3. Initially,the

subject to be photographed in the above-described arrangement standsbehind the mannequin structure 1 with his feet placed close together andresting at least partially on the rear of the support stand 12. Theshoulder portion of the backless coat 17 is then removed from its drapedposition at the shoulder regions 5 of the mannequin structure I and thesubject, with or without the assistance of the photographer or anassistant, partly dresses" himself in the coat 17, more specifically, byplacing his arms through the sleeves of the coat 17. The subject thenleans forward slightly such that the upper part of his body, fromessentially the shoulders to the waist, fits as snugly as possiblewithin the torso cavity 24 of the mannequin structure 1 and such thathis neck is within the neck cutout 6 and his chin is above and forwardof the neck cutout 6. While the subject is in this position, the neckcutout 6 permits the subject to move his head and neck freely andnaturally from side to side, and the arm cutouts 8 and 10 permit thesubject to move his arms freely and naturally from side to side and alsofrom front to back.

The subject then places his arms and head in suitable final positionsfor the photograph while, at the same time, the backless coat 17 isadjusted by the photographer or his assistant to provide a tight fitaround the torso 2 of the mannequin structure 1 and also around the backof the subject. This latter operation may be readily accomplished bytying together laces attached to the back of the coat 17, for example,as shown at and 17b in FIG. 2(b). As final preparatory steps tophotographing the subject, a tricorn (three-cornered) or other hat maybe placed on the head of the subject and suitable accessories to thecostume arrangement 15, for example, a musket, may be placed in one ofthe hands of the subject, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. The subject,when finally positioned within" the mannequin structure I and thecostume arrangement 15 as described hereinabove, is then photographed bythe photographer. In the event any portion of the legs or clothing ofthe subject are visible to the photographer when the subject is to bephotographed, due to the open region between the legs 3 of the mannequinstructure I, an insert 32, generally of the same color as the backgroundagainst which the photograph is to be taken and having a configurationgenerally conforming to the boundary of the open region, may be placedtemporarily (or, if desired, permanently) in theregion intermediate tothe legs 3 of the mannequin structure 1. Of course, for other costumearrangements which may be used with the mannequin structure 1, forexample, a full-length womans dress, the insert 32 may not be necessary.

In the final photographic print produced as a result of photographingthe subject in the abovedescribed arrangement, the subject appears to beactually dressed in a full British soldier's uniform and not in portionsof a few simple garments (i.e., a backless" coat and a hat) as isactually the case. Thus, a photographic print is produced which is veryrealistic and authentic in appearance.

MODIFICATIONS Although a mannequin structure has been describedhereinabove which is of adult size, it is to be appreciated thatmannequin structures of any size, including child-sized mannequinstructures for use by children, may be achieved in accordance with thepresent invention. In addition, and as earlier mentioned, a variety ofdifferent types of costume arrangements, of a male or female nature, maybe used with mannequin structures in accordance with the presentinvention. It is also possible to construct a mannequin structure foruse in the present invention in which the entire back half thereof,extending from the shoulders to the feet, is missing. In this case, asubject to be photographed may be able to position himself more snuglyand completely within the mannequin structure. Other modifications andvariations will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the invention as called for in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An arrangement including:

A three-dimensional mannequin structure having a front torso portion andlegs attached to the torso portion, and lacking a head, neck, and arms,said mannequin structure further lacking a back portion from the regionof the. shoulders to a region below the waist; and

means for supporting the mannequin structure in an erect position.

2. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1 wherein the region belowthe waist of the mannequin structure is the region of the calves of thelegs.

3. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mannequinstructure further has a cutout at the top edge of the front torsoportion, and cutouts at the sides of the front torso portion.

4. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1 further including a costumearrangement disposed on the mannequin structure.

5. An arrangement in accordance with claim 4 wherein said costumearrangement has an open region at the back thereof between the region ofthe shoulders of the mannequin structure and the region of the waist ofthe mannequin structure.

6. An arrangement in accordance with claim 5 wherein said mannequinstructure further has a cutout at the top edge of the front torsoportion, and cutouts at the sides of the front torso portion.

7. An arrangement in accordance with claim 6 wherein the legs of themannequin structure are spaced from each other and define an open regiontherebetween, said arrangement further including an insert positioned inthe region intermediate to the legs of the mannequin structure andhaving a configuration generally conforming to the boundary of saidregion.

8. An arrangement for use by a photographer in photographing a subject,comprising:

a three-dimensional structure having a cavity formed therein forreceiving and partially enclosing a portion of the body ofthe subject;and

. a costume arrangement disposed on the three-dimensional structure,said costume arrangement including a portion adapted to be worn by thesubject while the subject has the said portion of his body within thecavity in the three-dimensional structure.

9. An arrangement in accordance with claim 8 wherein the costumearrangement has an open region therein adjacent to the cavity in thethree-dimensional structure, said open region permitting the subject toplace the said portion of his body within the cavity in thethree-dimensional structure.

10. An arrangement for use by'a photographer in photographing a subject,comprising:

a three-dimensional mannequin structure having a front torso portion andlegs attached to said front torso portion, said front torso portionhaving a front section and side sections defining a torso cavity, saidmannequin structure lacking a head, neck, and arms, and further lackinga back portion from the region of the shoulders to a region below thewaist, said mannequin structure further having a neck cutout at the topedge of the front section of the front torso portion and arm cutouts atthe side sections of the front torso portion;

means for supporting the mannequin structure in an erect position; and

a costume arrangement disposed on the mannequin structure, said costumearrangement having an open region at the back thereof adjacent the torsoI cavity of the mannequin structure, said open region at the back of thecostume arrangement permitting the subject to be photographed to placethe upper part of his body, from essentially the shoulders to the waist,within the torso cavity of the mannequin structure, and said costumearrangement including a wearable portion adapted to be worn by thesubject while he has the upper part of his body within the torso cavityof the mannequin structure;

said neck cutout permitting the subject to move his head and neck freelyand naturally and said arm cutouts permitting the subject to move hisarms freely and naturally while he has the upper part of his body withinthe torso cavity of the mannequin structure and he is wearing thewearable portion of the costume arrangement.

11. An arrangement in accordance with claim 10 wherein the region of themannequin structure below the waist is the region of the calves of thelegs.

12. An arrangement in accordance with claim 10 wherein the costumearrangement includes a garment having an open region at the back thereofadjacent the torso cavity of the mannequin structure and includingsleeves, said wearable portion including said sleeves.

13. An arrangement in accordance with claim 12 wherein said garment is acoat.

14. An arrangement in accordance with claim 10 wherein the legs of themannequin structure are spaced from each other and define an open regiontherebetween, said arrangement further including an insert positioned inthe region intermediate to the legs of the mannequin structure andhaving a configuration essentially conforming to the boundary of saidregion.

1. An arrangement including: A three-dimensional mannequin structurehaving a front torso portion and legs attached to the torso portion, andlacking a head, neck, and arms, said mannequin structure further lackinga back portion from the region of the shoulders to a region below thewaist; and means for supporting the mannequin structure in an eRectposition.
 1. An arrangement including: A three-dimensional mannequinstructure having a front torso portion and legs attached to the torsoportion, and lacking a head, neck, and arms, said mannequin structurefurther lacking a back portion from the region of the shoulders to aregion below the waist; and means for supporting the mannequin structurein an eRect position.
 2. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1wherein the region below the waist of the mannequin structure is theregion of the calves of the legs.
 3. An arrangement in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the mannequin structure further has a cutout at the topedge of the front torso portion, and cutouts at the sides of the fronttorso portion.
 4. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1 furtherincluding a costume arrangement disposed on the mannequin structure. 5.An arrangement in accordance with claim 4 wherein said costumearrangement has an open region at the back thereof between the region ofthe shoulders of the mannequin structure and the region of the waist ofthe mannequin structure.
 6. An arrangement in accordance with claim 5wherein said mannequin structure further has a cutout at the top edge ofthe front torso portion, and cutouts at the sides of the front torsoportion.
 7. An arrangement in accordance with claim 6 wherein the legsof the mannequin structure are spaced from each other and define an openregion therebetween, said arrangement further including an insertpositioned in the region intermediate to the legs of the mannequinstructure and having a configuration generally conforming to theboundary of said region.
 8. An arrangement for use by a photographer inphotographing a subject, comprising: a three-dimensional structurehaving a cavity formed therein for receiving and partially enclosing aportion of the body of the subject; and a costume arrangement disposedon the three-dimensional structure, said costume arrangement including aportion adapted to be worn by the subject while the subject has the saidportion of his body within the cavity in the three-dimensionalstructure.
 9. An arrangement in accordance with claim 8 wherein thecostume arrangement has an open region therein adjacent to the cavity inthe three-dimensional structure, said open region permitting the subjectto place the said portion of his body within the cavity in thethree-dimensional structure.
 10. An arrangement for use by aphotographer in photographing a subject, comprising: a three-dimensionalmannequin structure having a front torso portion and legs attached tosaid front torso portion, said front torso portion having a frontsection and side sections defining a torso cavity, said mannequinstructure lacking a head, neck, and arms, and further lacking a backportion from the region of the shoulders to a region below the waist,said mannequin structure further having a neck cutout at the top edge ofthe front section of the front torso portion and arm cutouts at the sidesections of the front torso portion; means for supporting the mannequinstructure in an erect position; and a costume arrangement disposed onthe mannequin structure, said costume arrangement having an open regionat the back thereof adjacent the torso cavity of the mannequinstructure, said open region at the back of the costume arrangementpermitting the subject to be photographed to place the upper part of hisbody, from essentially the shoulders to the waist, within the torsocavity of the mannequin structure, and said costume arrangementincluding a wearable portion adapted to be worn by the subject while hehas the upper part of his body within the torso cavity of the mannequinstructure; said neck cutout permitting the subject to move his head andneck freely and naturally and said arm cutouts permitting the subject tomove his arms freely and naturally while he has the upper part of hisbody within the torso cavity of the mannequin structure and he iswearing the wearable portion of the costume arrangement.
 11. Anarrangement in accordance with claim 10 wherein the region of themannequin structure below the waist is the region of the calves of thelegs.
 12. An arrangement in accordance with claim 10 wherein the costumearrangement includes a garment having an open region at the back thereofadjacent the torso cavitY of the mannequin structure and includingsleeves, said wearable portion including said sleeves.
 13. Anarrangement in accordance with claim 12 wherein said garment is a coat.